Michael Fassbender May Trade In One Helmet For Another To Play Boba Fett

In the “Take this with a HUGE grain of salt” file, comes an unsubstantiated rumor that Disney is hoping to score Michael Fassbender for the role of Boba Fett in what could be a series of films starring the famous ‘Star Wars’ mercenary. Fassbender has made quite a name for himself since his breakout role in ‘Inglorious Basterds’ as well as films like ‘Prometheus’ and ’12 Years A Slave,’ but of course his main claim to fame is playing Magneto in ‘X-Men: First Class’ and ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past.’ He will also reprise his signature role in 2016’s ‘X-Men: Apocalypse.’

Reportedly, Disney would also like to employ the charismatic British actor to tackle the role of Boba Fett in a spin off directed by Gareth Edwards, from their upcoming ‘Star Wars’ franchise. Boba Fett is one of the most popular characters from the original movie series, despite having a tiny part in ‘Empire Strikes Back’ and dying within the first hour of ‘Return of the Jedi’ (apparently, as he was resurrected in later comics and prose novels) with very few lines. But… he looks neat.

Boba Fett sports a nifty suit of armor, complete with wrist grappling hook launcher and missle-firing jetpack and pilots the sleek Slave-1 spaceship. In addition, he was the subject of one of the biggest mysteries in the ‘Star Wars’ toy line, when Kenner offered a “Rocket Firing” version of the toy as a mail-away offer, which never actually materialized. Allegedly, the rocket was a choking hazard so the feature was dropped. The existence of the original “Rocket Firing” version was the stuff of legends for decades, until it was recently proven to be fact when a prototype surfaced on the reality show ‘Toy Hunter’.

Boba Fett’s completely concealed appearance, lack of dialogue, the mystery around his action figure and his flat out coolness has led to a cult following. It’s no wonder why Disney wants to tap into that and give the character his own movie and possible franchise. And so far, Fassbender has excelled in roles that call for aloof composure.

Allegedly, Disney hopes to have a ‘Boba Fett’ movie in theaters in 2016, but Fassbender is currently filming the biopic ‘Steve Jobs’ and is already attached to ‘X-Men: Apocalypse,’ ‘Assassin’s Creed’ (a film version of the games) and ‘Prometheus 2.’ That would seem to rule out shooting a big budget, effects heavy film due out next year. Not to mention the fact that most big name movies these days are announced YEARS in advance. Remember what I said about that grain of salt.

It’s entirely possible Disney will court Fassbender for the role. I think he’d be great! I do worry that over-exposure could ruin the mystique of Boba Fett, a character whose popularity seems built entirely on that concept.

What do you thinks? Would you like to see Fassbender portray Boba Fett in a titular movie?

Jax Motes

Jax's earliest memory is of watching 'Batman,' followed shortly by a memory of playing Batman & Robin with a friend, which entailed running outside in just their underwear and towels as capes. When adults told them they couldn't run around outside in their underwear, both boys promptly whipped theirs off and ran around in just capes.

Actually more than a prototype existed for the firing rocket version. My friend sent in all his proof of purchases and got it. I was 10 at the time and vaguely remember it coming in a little cloth bag, But the rocket DID fire. I remember the huge controversy over the firing missiles on toys back then. I had the Battlestar Galactic toys which had interchangable parts (including the Viper) and firing missiles.

JasonMBowles

Glad to know someone’s seen one.

Twits and Giggled

Doesn’t matter who it is, Boba doesn’t take off his helmet…

Terrormaster

Yes/No. Hiding the brillian acting of Willem Dafoe behind a full helmet mask was one of the biggest mistakes in Sam Raimi’s Spiderman. If you’re gonna leave the helmet on for the whole of the movie, save your budget on the headliner’s name.

Twits and Giggled

Karl Urban did it for Judge Dredd, besides not having the best script I thought it was fantastic. The whole time the actors ego never came thru because that was the character. Theres actually an actors face time percentage clause. Boba doesn’t have an alter ego he’s trying to hide. He takes off the helmet, he’s gonna pissed off a lot of die hards. Even if he’s handing down the mantle. Just my opinion

Terrormaster

Part of Dredd’s face was visible so you get to see the expressions there. You couldn’t with Green Goblin, his whole face was covered. Not saying Boba needs to take his helmet off. I’m saying its pointless to hire a big name face if you dont get to see there face. Anyone can play Boba on the inside the suit and get the big name to dial it in as a voice over. Worked JEJ as Vader. Prowse on the other hand wasn’t exactly a household name.